Zeta Jones, 91, is believed to have died yesterday morning at her daughter's home in Swansea, South Wales, where she had been staying after becoming ill during the past week.

Her famous granddaughter had visited her at her home in the city's Ravenhill area in February to help celebrate her birthday.

The Hollywood actress is expected to fly back to Wales for the funeral of Mrs Jones, the mother of her father Dai.

Mrs Jones's neighbour Mike Thomas said the pensioner, who he called "a real duchess", had been ill for the past few weeks and died at 4am yesterday.

The 60-year-old railway worker told the Western Mail: "She was a real independent lady and her family could not get her to move even in her later days.

"She was extremely popular around here, always chattering to people, very proud to talk about Catherine, but never going on about it too much."

Family members are understood to have been with Mrs Jones before her death.